Author: Arabian Media staff

Image credit: Getty Images Gold prices extended gains on Tuesday to their highest in nearly three weeks, supported by expectations a potential US government reopening could restart the flow of US economic data ahead of an expected Federal Reserve rate cut next month. Spot gold was up 0.5 per cent at $4,137.06 per ounce as of 0816 GMT, having earlier hit its highest since October 23 at $4,148.75, still below its record peak of $4,381.21 hit on October 20. US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.5 per cent to $4,143.80 per ounce. Read more-Gold tops $4,300, set for biggest…

Image: Getty Images Japanese financial services firm Orix 8591.T is teaming up with the Qatari sovereign wealth fund to launch a $2.5bn Japan-focused private-equity fund, Orix said in a release on Tuesday. Orix will hold a 60 per cent stake and the Qatar Investment Authority a 40 per cent stake in the new fund management firm, which will invest in Japanese companies with a particular focus on firms in the midst of succession changes, listed companies undergoing privatisation and companies carrying out carve-outs of divisions or subsidiaries, Orix said. Each investment will be of at least 30 billion yen, the release said. Earlier…

Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website As part of its continued drive to simplify travel and enhance operational efficiency, Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA) launched the initiative on November 10, allowing passengers to complete all check-in formalities from the comfort of their homes. The move reinforces the airport’s reputation for adopting technology-driven services that prioritise speed, comfort, and ease. The new service enables passengers flying through Sharjah Airport to finalise check-in procedures before leaving home, from boarding pass issuance to luggage collection, and then proceed directly to passport control upon arrival. According to a WAM report, this innovation aims to “save passengers’…

Image: Supplied Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the GCC, has signed a master research collaboration agreement with the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), one of the region’s foremost innovation ecosystems established to promote collaboration between industry, government, and academic and research organizations. The agreement aims to drive cutting-edge research and innovation in healthcare. The agreement was signed in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Sharjah Next: Healthcare Forum, a two-day event that brought together global experts, academia, and…

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced 29 commercial deployment agreements for autonomous mobility technologies on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit, held as part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week (ADAW). Marking a pivotal moment for global smart mobility, the landmark agreements—secured by ADIO in partnership with K2, LODD Autonomous (LODD), Autologix, Sinaha, TractEasy, MLG, and Space42—position Abu Dhabi among the first cities in the world to establish an integrated, multimodal regulatory and infrastructure framework for autonomous systems. The initiative enables companies to transition from pilot projects to full commercial deployment, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role…

Image: Abu Dhabi Media Office The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility)—an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT)—and Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA), has announced the launch of the emirate’s first vertiport network to enable the deployment of advanced air mobility solutions. The initiative marks a major milestone in Abu Dhabi’s leadership in smart, sustainable, and future-ready transport systems. Part of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster, the initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to drive innovation-led economic diversification. The…

Image credit: WAM/Website The UAE is accelerating its leadership in advanced aerial mobility (AAM) by shaping one of the world’s most forward-looking regulatory frameworks for air taxis and drone logistics. The initiative, jointly led by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE, both operating under the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), is being developed in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Read more-Dubai’s aerial taxi services: RTA tests region’s first flight Overseen by the Council for Autonomous Systems, the programme focuses on designing data-driven, simulation-based regulations to safely integrate both crewed and uncrewed aerial vehicles into national airspace.…

Image: Supplied In January, Oman took a significant step toward modernising its financial landscape with the enactment of the new Banking Law under Royal Decree No. 2/2025. This reform, coupled with the Central Bank of Oman’s (CBO) issuance of a dedicated regulatory framework for digital banks in June, marks a pivotal moment in Oman’s journey toward financial innovation, in line with Oman’s Vision 2040 strategy of diversifying the economy and positioning the country as a regional fintech hub. Regulatory shifts: Progress and pitfalls These recent regulatory developments have introduced comprehensive guidelines for digital banking operations, encompassing licensing requirements, operational standards,…

Credit: Getty Images The United Arab Emirates could conclude negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement with the central African state of Chad by the end of the year, the Gulf state’s trade minister said on Monday. Known as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, or CEPA, the trade, investment and cooperation deals are a key element of the oil-rich UAE‘s strategy to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and bolster long-term growth. “We are building on a strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and Chad,” Thani Al Zeyoudi said on the sidelines of the UAE–Chad Trade and Investment Forum held in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. “Hopefully we’re…

Image: Supplied The UAE’s food and beverage landscape is thriving, with diners increasingly seeking experiences that blend quality, authenticity, and innovation. At the forefront of this evolution is Shamal Holding, whose selective investment approach is shaping the region’s premium and homegrown F&B scene. In this interview, Sudhin Siva, chief asset management officer at Shamal, shares how the group is backing global brands like Five Guys and SUSHISAMBA while nurturing local concepts such as The Espresso Lab, leveraging technology, operational expertise, and market insight to deliver memorable, scalable, and distinctive dining experiences across the UAE. How would you describe the current…